Neffs Canyon

Neffs Canyon is the west facing bowl directly above Olympus Cove just south of Millcreek Canyon.  Getting to the trailhead is a little tricky because you have to wind your way through the neighborhood to find the White Park trailhead.  There are several sign for Neffs Canyon posted to help you find your way.  For me this trail lacked a "WOW" factor and the destination, a meadow, didn't knock my socks off.  The trail follows an old road for about 1.25 miles so the first part is pretty easy walking.  Once you reach the Mount Olympus Wilderness sign the trail becomes steep and that steepness doesn't let up until you reach the meadow.  From the White Park trailhead it is 2.75 miles to get to the meadow with an elevation gain of 2450 feet.  You really work the old calf muscles on this hike!
 



There were some pretty cool rock formations along the way and the snow frosted mountain peaks were impressive.  The meadow also gives a unique perspective of Mount Olympus and it is always fun to look down on the Salt Lake Valley from way up high.  Okay so it was a pretty good hike after all.

I have also seen a lot of aspen artwork on my hikes recently like this one.

I also wanted to share the American Hiking Society's list of 10 Essentials.  Ten things to have on every hike.  (For more details check out www.AmericanHiking.org)

• Appropriate footwear.  Can't emphasize enough how important it is to have a good pair of hiking shoes AND socks on your feet!
• Carry a GPS, compass or map.
• Extra water and a way to purify it.
• Plenty of food.  You burn a lot of calories hiking!
• Rain gear or extra clothing.
• Safety items: fire (matches), light and a whistle.
• First aid kit.
• Knife or multi-purpose tool.
• Sun screen and sun glasses.
• Daypack or backpack.
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  Peaks Bagged 2013

  1. Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299

  2. Reynolds Peak ♦♦ 9422

  3. South Guardsman Pass Peak ♦♦ 10,420

  4. Mount Baldy ♦♦ 11,068

  5. Mount Evergreen ♦♦ 9,840

  6. Mount Tuscarora ♦♦ 10,660

  7. Mount Wolverine ♦♦ 10,795

  8. Sugarloaf Peak ♦♦ 11,051

  9. Little Water Peak ♦♦ 9,605

  10. Mount Aire ♦♦ 8,621

  ******Miles hiked tally
  beginning March 22, 2013
  
  
  168.9
  
  
  
   
  
  

Mount Aire

The Elbow Fork trail to the summit of Mount Aire is a really, really nice autumn afternoon hike.  The colors in the canyon this time of year are spectacular!  Once again a delightful feast for the eyes.  Elbow Fork trail is located about 6 miles up Millcreek Canyon road.  You will find ample parking and a rest room at the trailhead.  The hike to Mount Aire is a steep one, you gain 1991 feet in just 1.8 miles.

After climbing 1 mile you will come to a saddle looking down into Parleys Canyon.  The trail to the summit of Mount Aire continues to the right where you will begin a series of switchbacks as you make your way to the top.  I've climbed Mount Aire four times now and fall on a cooler day is hands down the best time to do this hike.
 

When you reach the summit you will enjoy an incredible 360-degree panorama of Gobblers Knob, Mount Raymond, Parleys Canyon, East Canyon, Salt Lake Valley with Antelope Island and Mount Olympus.  BREATHE DEEP AND TAKE IN THE VIEWS!

BUT . . . .  The absolute highlight of my hike yesterday was seeing not one, not two, but three moose on the trail.  Up close and almost too personal.  Two bull moose and one female.  We were close enough to hear their grunted conversation!  The young bull started following us up the trail which was a little unsettling.  The whole experience of being so close to these magnificent animals was AWESOME! 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  There is a gate at Maple Grove picnic area which is 1.5 miles down the canyon from the Elbow Fork trailhead that will close beginning November 1 and not open again until July 1.

There were so many cool sights on this trail to share.  Have a look!

Really neat looking rock outcropping.

Small green fern-like plants along the upper trail.

Very sturdy footbridge built in 1976 holding up well.

A little wind and rain at the very top of Mount Aire.

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Peaks Bagged 2013

1. Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299

2. Reynolds Peak ♦♦ 9422

3. South Guardsman Pass Peak ♦♦ 10,420

4. Mount Baldy ♦♦ 11,068

5. Mount Evergreen ♦♦ 9,840

6. Mount Tuscarora ♦♦ 10,660

7. Mount Wolverine ♦♦ 10,795

8. Sugarloaf Peak ♦♦ 11,051

9. Little Water Peak ♦♦ 9,605

10. Mount Aire ♦♦ 8,621

******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

163.4





 

Red Pine Lake

I discovered another trail that I really, really like!  I actually liked the trail as much as the final destination - Red Pine Lake.  Maybe it was just that the conditions for hiking yesterday were absolutely PERFECT!  Red Pine Lake trail begins at the White Pine trailhead about 5.5 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon just before you reach Snowbird Resort.  The first mile of the hike follows an old jeep road so it is pretty easy walking.  You will then come to the junction for White Pine Lake, first left and a smaller trail just past the sign leads to Red Pine Lake.  Another half miles brings you to spectacular views down the canyon toward the Salt Lake valley.  In approximately another 1 mile you will come to a junction and small sign with Red Pine Lake straight ahead and the trail to Maybird Lakes crosses the stream to the right.  This hike is only challenging because it is a long one.  We hike just over 7 miles with an elevation gain of 1940 feet.  The trail this time of year truly delivers a feast for your eyes!  The rock formations that crown the ridges of Red Pine canyon was another highlight of this trail.  If I were to do one thing different, it would probably be to hike this trail in the morning instead of late afternoon.  The sun was already sinking behind Pfeifferhorn when we got to the lake.  It took us 2 1/2 hours to hike to Red Pine Lake and 1 1/2 to hike down.

 Here are pictures!

Golden aspens - camera doesn't quite capture the beauty.

At the last junction - Red Pine Lake straight ahead.

Old mine tailings

On the northwest side of Red Pine Lake.

 

Hand print left on the wall a very long time ago.

View of Mount Superior

 It's October! and the Halloween caterpillars were on the trail!

This lovely creature is a Woolly Bear caterpillar (pyrrharctia isabella).  Folklore is that if the orange stripe is thick, the winter will be mild and if the orange stripe is narrow, the winter will be severe.  Looks a little narrow to me!  Bwah -ah-ah!

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Peaks Bagged 2013

1. Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299

2. Reynolds Peak ♦♦ 9422

3. South Guardsman Pass Peak ♦♦ 10,420

4. Mount Baldy ♦♦ 11,068

5. Mount Evergreen ♦♦ 9,840

6. Mount Tuscarora ♦♦ 10,660

7. Mount Wolverine ♦♦ 10,795

8. Sugarloaf Peak ♦♦ 11,051

9. Little Water Peak ♦♦ 9,605

******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

159.8





Brighton Lakes

"The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial."  Ed Abbey

I somewhat agree with Mr. Abbey so I decided to do one of my all time favorite hikes yesterday - the trail from Lake Mary to Lake Catherine.  The trailhead is found at Brighton ski resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  This section of trail also happens to be part of the Great Western Trail. (Plus I was itching to see some snow - go ahead call me craZy!)

Part One ** Lake Mary

There was a good amount of snow and ice on the trail, but nothing to deter hikers.  We like to get our shoes wet and muddy.  It is only 1 mile to reach Lake Mary. 

Part Two ** Lake Martha

Only .3 miles east of Lake Mary sets pretty Lake Martha at the base of Mount Tuscarora.  Lake Martha doesn't get as much traffic as Lake Mary which makes it feel remote and so peaceful!  I love the island of pines on this lake.

Part Three ** Lake Catherine



 Another .7 miles along the Great Western Trail brings you to lovely Lake Catherine.  I love the section of trail from Lake Martha to Lake Catherine.  You have some fine views of Big Cottonwood canyon and Brighton Ski Resort.  

Lake Catherine sets at the base of Sunset Peak 10,648 which is a very easy peak to summit.  My roundtrip hike totaled 4.4 miles with an elevation gain of 1150 feet.  It is just so pretty in our canyons and I love taking pictures!

Along the Trail



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Peaks Bagged 2013

1. Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299

2. Reynolds Peak ♦♦ 9422

3. South Guardsman Pass Peak ♦♦ 10,420

4. Mount Baldy ♦♦ 11,068

5. Mount Evergreen ♦♦ 9,840

6. Mount Tuscarora ♦♦ 10,660

7. Mount Wolverine ♦♦ 10,795

8. Sugarloaf Peak ♦♦ 11,051

9. Little Water Peak ♦♦ 9,605

******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

152.5